Peak was my 2nd vise and still remains with me till this day. You need the D-arm for the peak. I would never change my peak to anything else. I don't have a single complaint about the peak. I build my own popper bodies and tie large flies on this vise and I absolutely love it. Even with the short shaft for the hackle holder doesn't bother at all. Also I don't travel, but if I did. I will take it with me with the clamp because yeah the base is built just right. Buying 2 more for my son and daughter.
I agree with you Ivan, the Peak is a great vise. I've used the D-arm, I just felt slower on that set up compared to the renzetti. The c-clamp is the best I've ever seen though, great design and functionality.
I’m going with Renzetti, for all the reasons you said about it. For just a little bit more in price, it’s definitely worth it in the long run. Plus it has accessories for parts. Thanks so much for posting your comparison. You convinced me on Renzetti 👏🏼
I started on a terrible cheap no-name vise. Years later came a Thompson Pro vise which was so much better. Now I've been tying on a Regal for the last 20yrs or so. I love it but absolutely understand what you say about preference. Good tools make the job easier. The amount of choices we have today make it easy to find something u like using. It's a great time to be an angler and tyer.
Ya, I did the same thing back in the day. That thing was junk, but it got the job done. It's amazing how things have changed just over the last 10-15 years, there is an endless supply of materials and tools, certainly a great time and I only see it improving over time.
Great review! I am new to fly-tying, and thanks to your video, I chose the Renzetti Traveler. The jaws fine adjustment knob was the first reason, and everything else you mentioned added up to making the Renzetti a better more functional overall vise. Mileage may vary but as a newbie I am very glad to have chosen the Traveler.
Hey Josh i don't tie fly like you pros I just tie crappie jigs. I purchased the peak and it fit my budget well. I did purchase the D handle and the brass screw for the rotary function. I'm really pleased after I spin the chenille and the professional look it gives. I'm thinking since I only tie 1/32-1/8 Oz crappie jigs this vise will be the only vise I need for many years of jig tying enjoyment. You're a cool cat and I subbed
Hey Mike, the Peak is a great vise even for the pro tyer! There are just a few subtle things I like on the Renzetti that keep me tying on it. You certainly can't go wrong tying on the Peak though!
I got my Peak for $149.95. I was in between the Stonfo transformer from Taimen(the only reasonable place to buy any European fly tying gear) for $300 or so. I didn't think I needed all that so I bought the Peak and I'm stoked on it. Really good video! I'm not a regal fan either. I'd rather tie on a A1 than a regal!
Thanks James! The Peak is really tough to beat for the price. It does everything the high end vises will do and in some applications it'll do them better. I just don't know why, but I've never been able to get used to those Regals...I know folks that swear by them, but I just can't tie efficiently on them.
Just bought the Renzetti Smurf Blue 2500 Limited Run vise. I like a pedestal to keep the vise a little farther from the table edge. I can also shove it out of the way when I'm not using it.
I’ve owned a Traveler for a few years in the past then I got into spinning deer so I picked up a fixed angle Dyna. I love my Dyna King Prince but will be picking up another Renzetti for smaller flies. I’m looking at either a Presentation 2000 or 4000 like yours. Nice review man.
Thanks, I've only had limited experience on the Dynas so I didn't feel too comfortable offering a review on that one but one of these days I'll pick one up and give it a shot. You say it's great for the spinning stuff?
I started with a Peak and switched to a Griffin Mongoose mostly because of jaw design - Peak blunt vs Mongoose pointy. I agree that the Peak will hold really well if you reef on the the lever. The jaw tightening mechanism of the Mongoose is more like the Renzetti. The only thing I have to reef on is deer hair and GSP. The Mongoose has served me well for years, but recently I have the Renzetti bug. Thinking about the 4000. Thanks for the video!
I'm like lovetheoutdoors9485, once I got my peak I'll never tie on anything else. I believe you can get a piece from peak that attaches to the rotary vertical piece that comes out horizontal. On mine I stole that piece off my previous vice. It locks into place with a screw and solves that finger slipping off problem. Like you I have bent, and indeed even broken hooks tieing. I suspect the hook was tempered making it a bit more brittle, and resistant to bending. I now tie almost exclusively on Mustad 3366 hooks, mostly in size 6 for panfish. Not much trout fishing in eastern North Dakota. Love my peak. I also went back and looked and I see the table top clamp style now costs 40$ more than the weighted base model. They have a very good design there and they know it.
I used the D arm and it was effective but I wasn't as fluid with it as the renzetti, it just didn't fit my finger the same. Absolutely solid vise though. I'm sure a little more time with it and I'd be more comfortable with it.
Thank you! You really can't go wrong with either one, they are both solid! I gravitate to the Renzetti just because it is what I got used to, but the Peak is a great vise as well.
The Peak is solid for sure, but it takes a little bit of fine tuning to hit the sweet spot. Once you get it dialed in though, it's solid. I haven't had any issues with slipping hooks on the Renzetti to this point.
Josh, good review. I have a Renzetti on the way so fingers crossed I get used to it. Love my Peak but I have broken the washer below the adjustment nut a couple of times over the years. I guess they weaken over time or I've occasionally over tightened. No big deal as a cheap part and easy to replace. All the best, Paul
Thanks Paul, glad you enjoyed the video, and I'm sure you'll get used to the renzetti pretty quick. I do really like the Peak vises, they are built really well and they are easy to tie on but I just felt slower. You'll have to let me know what you think. Thanks again, Josh.
Peak was my first rotary vise and I’ve gotten use it. I’ve never tied on any other rotary but would like to try a couple others to compare. For the price, I don’t think it can be beat for new tyers.
I agree 100% Jeff. You cannot beat the quality of the Peak for the price you pay, it is a great overall vise at an affordable price. I'd recommend it for any new tyer.
You sure can Lee, it's a great purchase too. Yes, that beer is very good, one of my new favorites. We'll have to sample a few when you come up next time.
Both are good good vices. Watching many videos, why doesn't anyone compare vices to the Dyna King? I purchased one 15 years ago. I tie up to 5,000 flies and jigs for my small business each year. Never had one moment of disappointment. Maybe it is the cost. I paid over $500, but considering the amount I use the vice, the high cost was worth it. Your comments?
I agree Stephen. As far as the Dyna King goes, it is a great vise. I've only ever tied on one a few times but they are great. I just don't have enough working experience or one on hand to do a compare/contrast. Maybe one of these days I'll pick one up and do a review.
I do really like the Peak and it's excellent for the big flies. I've tried the norvise, and I was really awkward on it. I could see it being good for smaller flies though.
Hey Josh, great videos! Really appreciate the giant deer hair head trimming video. My wife, GF then, bought me a PEAK rotary for my first vise off the recommendation of a tier friend of mine 6 years ago and it very well might be my last. Like you said it's built like a tank. Small question, that screw eye you and Kelly both have must be so handy for articulated streamers. In the past I've just used a longer rubber band wrapped around 2 or 3 things till it fit. Did you just screw that right into the plastic on the material holder?? If so, I'm heading to Ace hardware on my lunch break. haha Thanks for the response.
Thanks Andrew! The Peaks are awesome, if I hadn't started on the Renzetti, I'd likely be tying on them today. Yes, the eyelet is very handy on the articulated streamers, and it is just screwed into the plastic. I drilled a small pilot hole prior to putting it in, but a very simple mod with a ton of benefits.
Hey Josh Happy Holidays. Do you think you could demonstrate some stonefly patterns? I fish the central PA streams you've mentioned in previous videos, and stoneflies have always been a part of my box that lack.
Hey Barry, I can certainly do a few stonefly videos. One of my favorite imitations has been the VIP nymph over the years. It's a great representation and it doesn't take 30 minutes to tie like some of the more realistic patterns. I'll get a few updated patterns out in the next month or so.
I loved this review, I’ve begun collecting vices, and I have a few Regals as well as renzetti masters, I’m only tying on the regal to “ try something different” every once in a while, if I’m in tying mode trying to bust out flies for a trip renzetti hands down, but now I’m thinking of getting a peak just cause hahaha
It took a good while for me to get use to it but that's probably because I have years and years on the Renzetti. Peaks are great vises, no doubt about it.